Oreste Kirkop, Malta's singing ambassador of the Fifties, who achieved international fame, was born at Hamrun, Malta on July 26, 1923. Discovered and trained first by Maltese tenor Nicolo' Baldacchino (1895-1971) and later by Giuseppina Ravaglia and Emilio Gherardini in Milan, the voice of Oreste Kirkop emerged during the immediate post war period. He made his debut in Malta as Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana on February 24, 1945. Following his successful debut, he continued to sing other leading tenor roles in Madama Butterfly, Favorita, Lucia di Lammermoor, Faust, Tosca and a Maltese opera Figlio del Sole.

In 1948, Malta saw the return of an Italian Opera Company under the Impresa Cantoni to the Maltese Islands. Maestro Luigi Cantoni auditioned a number of Maltese singers and Oreste Kirkop was one of the three singers selected to join the visiting Italian Opera Company.

The 23 rd December 1948 remains an important date in the career of Oreste Kirkop when, as a member of the audience sitting in the auditorium of the Manoel Theatre in Valletta, during the performance of Rigoletto, he was asked there and then to substitute for the indisposed tenor who had abandoned the production after the second act. Oreste's presence on stage brought great excitement among the audience. By the beginning of the last act, he had gained confidence and was in such fine fettle that he completely stole the show by his rendering of "La donna è mobile", ending on a beautifully sustained ringing top note that brought the house down with shouts of "bis", as the audience stamped their feet, bringing the performance to a temporary halt. Verdi's Rigoletto was brought to an exciting conclusion and the crowd left the Manoel Theatre elated at the evening's unexpected performance.

The Italian newspaper Rassegna Melodrammatica issued in February 1949 reported in glowing terms the Maltese tenor's wonderful achievement, adding that Oreste Kirkop had boldly (baldanzosamente) substituted for the indisposed Italian tenor, creating great enthusiasm (furoreggiando) among the audience and also encored the last act aria. Furthermore, this performance, thanks to the success of Oreste Kirkop, threw wide open the doors for other Maltese singers to appear with the Italian Opera Company.

Between November 1949 and May 1950 Oreste Kirkop had the opportunity to appear in concert with two famous La Scala singers, the celebrated baritone Tito Gobbi and the equally famous soprano Maria Caniglia.

Meanwhile Maltese baritone Joseph Satariano (1895–1992) who had achieved great success singing in the company of Feordor Chaliapin, Nellie Melba, and Tito Schipa, visited Malta during the summer of 1950. On hearing the young tenor, he invited Oreste Kirkop to join him in London for an audition with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. By this time Oreste had already given some 150 performances in Malta appearing in 10 different operas.

After a successful audition, Oreste made his debut with the Carl Rosa on September 19, 1950 as the Duke in Rigoletto at the Grand Theatre in Leeds. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported in bold headlines: "He is an echo of Caruso – Oreste Kirkop, a young Maltese tenor scored great triumph in his debut", adding, "Kirkop for whom a great future is predicted is a young tenor of distinguished appearance and fine physique". Throughout his three seasons with the Carl Rosa opera company, Oreste continued to forge a sound operatic repertoire and a commanding stage presence. These were the formative years in which he acquired more experience in the company of established singers and great conductors like Malcolm Sargent, John Pritchard, Edward Downes and Charles Mackerras.

The newspaper reviews were very encouraging: "Watch this man Kirkop he has a pleasing and powerful tenor voice used with good effect" [...] "a virile and strong voice with fire and passion" [...] "Italian trained voice with great range and power". Oreste Kirkop was always referred to as "The Maltese Tenor" and wherever he went the name of Malta went with him.

1953 proved to be a very important year – a year of achievement. He left the Carl Rosa Company to become the leading tenor of the Saddlers Wells scoring an overwhelming success in the opening night with Cavalleria Rusticana, opposite Amy Shuard's Santuzza, followed by Boheme and Tosca. The Daily Express critic wrote: "The Maltese tenor Oreste Kirkop faced his first London audience. He quickly proved himself to be a singer of real merit. Good tenors are scarce everywhere and worth their weight in gold in Britain. Mr Kirkop's tone is solid and full. It has meat on its bones".

The Opera Magazine of May 1953 in its review written by Harold Rosenthal said: "He is one of the best Cavaradossi's heard since before the war and I can honestly say that not since Gigli's appearance in this part in 1938-39 have I heard the last act music so beautifully sung".

During the same period the Maltese tenor was chosen by two leading magazines, London Musical Events and Music and Musicians as the personality of the month (April 1953) calling him a "splendid voice used with southern fire and temperament".

For Great Britain, 1953 was Coronation year. The BBC planned to broadcast a special live programme – The Commonwealth Gala Performance from the London Palladium. The show was compered by Sir Richard Attenborough and actress Margaret Lockwood. The voice of Sir Richard Attenborough was heard throughout the entire Commonwealth announcing: "Malta G.C. To represent the valiant and historic Island of Malta, here is the operatic tenor Oreste Kirkop". The announcement was followed by Oreste singing an operatic aria.

Oreste hit the headlines once again when he inaugurated the Saddlers Wells Autumn Season with a revival of Luisa Miller by Giuseppe Verdi which had not been staged for 75 years. The second performance was broadcast live by the BBC. "Kirkop's tone is rich and golden, but he has not rested content merely with nature's gift. He has cultivated a style which now makes him the finest Verdi tenor in this country".

In between these roles, Oreste became a frequent guest of various radio and television stations including a BBC production of I Pagliacci in which he sang the role of Canio.

It was also at this time that British film companies including London Films, Associated British Pictures Corporation, as well as Hollywood's Paramount Pictures, cast their eyes on the Maltese tenor, but Oreste's choice was for Paramount Pictures.